ATLANTIC CITY – It took almost the full three rounds, a staggering number of punches, and more than a little blood, but John Lineker (24-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) finally put Alptekin Ozkilic (9-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) down and out with a TKO finish at the 4:51 mark of the third and final round, capping an impressive performance in a brutal, thrilling fight.

The flyweight bout was part of today’s UFC Fight Night 45 main card at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following a single prelim on UFC Fight Pass.

Lineker appeared to be the sharper fighter in the striking exchanges early on, though Ozkilic didn’t mind trading leather if it gave him an opportunity to land some bombs of his own. What he might not have planned on, however, was an opponent who was as durable as he was dangerous.

Not only did Lineker pound him to the body and the head with a diverse striking attack, he also shrugged off Ozkilic’s best punches and refused to get sucked into lengthy grappling exchanges.

With Lineker likely ahead on the scorecards heading into the third, the Brazilian turned it up a little more in the final round, going toe-to-toe with Ozkilic in a brawl that brought fans to their feet down the stretch. With the final seconds ticking away, Lineker went all out for the finish, stalking Ozkilic and eventually flooring him with a left hook that left the Turkish fighter flat on his back and in need of referee assistance with just nine seconds left in the fight.